Prevention of simian immunodeficiency virus, SIVsm, or HIV-2 infection in cynomolgus monkeys by pre- and postexposure administration of BEA-005

Objective: To study the possibilities and limitations of postexposure treatment to prevent the establishment of infection after accidental exposure to HIV. Design and methods: The effect of 2',3'-dideoxy-3'-hydroxymethyl cytidine (BEA-005) was investigated on acute simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) and HIV-2 infections in macaques in pre- and postexposure treatment experiments. Results: Postexposure treatment with BEA-005 (3 x 10 mg/kg) for as short as 3 days prevented infection with SIV,,after intravenous or rectal inoculation. infection with HIV-2 could also be blocked by postexposure BEA-005 treatment. Conclusion: This study shows that therapeutic intervention can block early systemic and mucosal infections with SIV and HIV-2. Further evaluation is ongoing.